How to Make Ham Taste Like Bacon: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever taken a bite of ham and thought “Mmm I wish this tasted more like bacon”? As delicious as ham can be, sometimes you just get a hankering for that signature smoky, salty flavor that only bacon can provide. Luckily, with just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can easily transform your mild-mannered ham into a dish that tastes amazingly similar to everyone’s favorite pork belly treat.

Why Make Ham Taste Like Bacon?

There are a few great reasons to give your ham a touch of bacon flavor

• You love bacon flavor but want a leaner cut of pork, Ham is much lower in fat than bacon,

• You bought ham but wish you had bacon to go with a particular recipe.

• You want that smoky, savory bacon essence but don’t want to actually cook any bacon.

• You have leftovers ham and want to give it new life. A blast of bacon flavor can turn boring old ham into an exciting ingredient for sandwiches, wraps, salads and more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Transforming ham into bacon is easy with just a few simple ingredients:

• Ham – Use about 1 to 1.5 lbs of cooked ham, cut or sliced into your preferred shape. Avoid very lean boiled ham, as it won’t absorb flavor as well. Go for a fattier city ham or fresh ham roast.

• Smoked paprika – This is the magical ingredient that will impart most of the baconesque flavor. You’ll need about 1-2 tablespoons.

• Brown sugar – For sweetness and texture, use 1-2 tablespoons of light or dark brown sugar.

• Salt – Just a sprinkle, about 1/2 teaspoon, to enhance the salty taste of bacon.

• Black pepper – Again, just a sprinkle, about 1/4 teaspoon, to contribute a little spice.

• Butter or olive oil – About 1-2 tablespoons for cooking the ham.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is a simple process for turning your mild ham into one that tastes like rich, savory bacon:

1. If you don’t have already sliced ham, slice your ham into strips, chunks or small medallions. The thinner the better to allow flavors to be absorbed.

2. Pat the ham pieces dry with paper towels.

3. Sprinkle the ham evenly on both sides with the smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Gently rub the seasonings into the meat.

4. In a large skillet, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. When hot, add the seasoned ham pieces in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan.

5. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, allowing the ham to caramelize slightly. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.

6. Serve the ham warm or let cool and refrigerate to allow flavors to further permeate the meat.

And that’s it – you now have ham that tastes remarkably similar to bacon thanks to some quick seasoning tricks. The smoky paprika replicates that quintessential bacon flavor, while the brown sugar enhances sweetness and encourages caramelization.

Serving Suggestions

There are endless ways you can incorporate your faux bacon ham into recipes:

• Breakfast sandwiches – Use in place of bacon on egg sandwiches and breakfast wraps.

• Salads – Chop into chunks or strips to top green, potato, pasta or grain-based salads.

• Eggs – Chop up and add to scrambled eggs or omelets.

• Soups – Add ham bits to bean, pea, lentil or potato soups.

• Pizza – Sprinkle ham slices on pizza in place of bacon.

• Burgers – Top your burger with the ham for a tasty twist.

• Baked potatoes – Mix diced ham into loaded baked potato dishes.

• Snacks – Enjoy nugget-sized pieces as a high-protein snack.

The possibilities are endless! And the great thing about this method is that you can use as much or as little ham as you want, preparing just what you need for the recipe you want to create.

Tips for Maximum Bacon Flavor

Here are some extra tips to get the most authentic bacon essence from your doctored-up ham:

• Use a combination of paprika, brown sugar, maple syrup or honey to layer sweet and savory flavors.

• Look for paprika made from smoked Spanish peppers to get the deepest, smokiest taste.

• For even more smokiness, add a dash of liquid smoke flavoring.

• Pan fry the ham in bacon grease if you have it on hand.

• For total bacon texture, dip slices in an egg wash and coat with breadcrumbs before pan frying.

• Complement the ham with other classic bacon flavors like eggs, potatoes, cheese, beans, toast, pancakes and coffee.

With just a few basic ingredients like smoked paprika and brown sugar, and a quick spin in a hot skillet, you can easily transform ordinary ham into something that tastes just like tasty bacon. From scrambled eggs to salads and sandwiches, the recipe possibilities are endless. Next time you have a surplus of ham or a craving for that salty, smoky bacon magic, give this simple seasoning trick a try. Your tastebuds will thank you!